Already, waves have "capsized several boats" at the yacht harbor, Clark said, and authorities expect more damage.

So far, no tsunami-related injuries have been reported in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz County spokesman Enrique Sahagun said the first waves reached land about 7:45 a.m. At Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, the swells pushed and bumped boats together and broke some docks, but total damage is unknown thus far, Sahagun said.

"The water is pushing the boats together like a major car collision on Highway 405 or another big highway," he said.